If you think Islam is the biggest offender of religious liberty around the world, you are mostly right. In India, Hindu radicals are now making a run for that ominous distinction. The next time you hear a Hollywood celebrity talk about the...

In a recent Oklahoma study on Family Fragmentation, conducted by the House Human Services Committee, lawmakers concluded that for every dollar spent keeping families together, the government spends $1,000 on 'clean up' from the fallout of broken...

A call for Southern Baptists and other beievers to engage in 40 days of prayer beginning in late September has been issued by the Southern Baptist Convention's North American Mission Board and Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission.

A recent story reported by Baptist Press reporter Erin Roach indicates that video game retailers are selling Mature-rated video games to minors 36 percent of the time. The story was based on a study by the Parents Television Council. The goal of...

It is on rare occasion that the Baptist Messenger gives strong endorsement to motion pictures, but such is the case with the new movie "Fireproof" opening Sept. 26 in theatres nationwide. The film is produced by the creators of "Facing the...

Don't delay! Now is the time. Every day that passes is another day lost. 2 Corinthians 6:2b says, "I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation." Sensing the urgent need to reach and minister to the lost, "Now Is the...

The dust that had settled will soon be filling the air as large yellow and black buses travel the dusty roads of Oklahoma in search of students in need of a ride to school. Traffic on highways and byways has been thinner as parents and children...

Let's face it. Ministry can be draining. For most, serving the local church as a full- time or bivocational minister of the Gospel requires a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week commitment. Serving in the church is far from just a Sunday affair.

Mention you were called to missions a generation ago, and many in the church would assume you were called to serve in Africa, South America or some other foreign land. If your calling landed you overseas, you were considered among God's elite.

Say what you want about the next generation, but be sure what you say includes something about Oklahoma's GO Students.

It has been several weeks now since Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) messengers met in Indianapolis June 10-11 and elected Johnny Hunt, pastor of First Church in Woodstock, Ga., as their new president. Many of the approximately 7,200 registered...

It is the fourth commandment found in Exodus 20:8, "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy." So how are we doing when it comes to keeping the Sabbath holy?

According to the United States Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, more than 70 million Americans, about 1 in 4, are younger than 18, the age group commonly referred to as juveniles. This age group has increased consistently...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--In his radio show June 24, James Dobson examined Democrat presidential contender Barack Obama's use of Scripture and concluded Obama "deliberately" distorts the Bible "to fit his own worldview -- his own confused theology."

It should come as no surprise that a recent study conducted by LifeWay Research has found that a majority of Southern Baptist Convention pastors differ in their views when compared to those held by average Americans on several key issues.

James 2:14-16 asks, "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm...

According to Christianity Today, 51 percent of pastors say Internet pornography is a possible temptation and 37 percent say it is a current struggle. Sadly, 40percent of pastors say they have visited a pornographic Web site.

As gasoline prices continue to rise and the fear of inflation looms, politicians, commuters and soccer moms are looking for ways to save money. While alternative fuels and penny-pinching might be in our future, a study conducted by Georgia State...

There has been much discussion among Baptists and considerable coverage in the media regarding the revival in Jena, La. Many are beginning to ask what genuine revival might look like, and if revival such as the one in Jena might spark a spiritual...

Is it time for the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) to drop Baptist from its name? With baptisms falling for the third year in a row among Southern Baptist churches, maybe it is time for the SBC to change its name to something like Southern...

It is a sad situation, only 35 percent of Americans are very happy according to a New National "Happiness" Index.

It is official; the Bible is the most popular book in America according to a new survey conducted by Harris Poll among 2,513 adults. Surprised? Not really. What is surprising is how a book can be so popular and yet so few put what the book...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--Following the sweeping turnover in Congress resulting from the mid-term elections of 2006, newly elected Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.), was touted for his right-to-life record. Even conservatives sensed he would be a strong...

Actor, commentator and comedian, Ben Stein's new documentary film, "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed" opens April 18. Many Christian conservative leaders are on board with the film and so are we. The film was shown at a recent National...

Since when does a church or its pastor have to remain silent when addressing moral and social issues from a biblical worldview? There is no shortage on those who would like to squelch the voice of the church, especially during a political season.

Ask, and most will agree, there is no shortage on sin. Ask for a definition of sin, and few will concur. What some may consider sin may not be considered sin by others. Sin has never been more popular than now as society has become more and more...

If Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has his way, he will use the Presidency as a bully pulpit to urge states to treat same-sex couples with full equality in their family and adoption laws. Obama's comments came three days after he...

Jesus asked Peter, "Who do you say that I am?" Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." What if Peter was wrong? In his letter to the Christians of Corinth, the Apostle Paul gives the perfect response to this question. I...

The world is out to win over the hearts and minds of our young people. Thousands of dollars are spent every day trying to lure them away into a compromising, self-centered, tolerant lifestyle.

For 100 years, many weary travelers have been pleased to discover a complimentary copy of the Bible in their hotel room, thanks to The Gideons International. According to the organization, each Bible placed in a hotel room has the potential to...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--"... I would just refer them to the Sermon on the Mount, which I think is, in my mind, for my faith, more central than an obscure passage in Romans...."

During the Feb.18 meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, Frank Page, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, told Executive Committee members he believes the calling of the convention is to have a singular focus on...

Has the buckle of the Bible belt become the Mecca of gambling? Unless something changes soon, Oklahoma is on the fast track to becoming the gambling capital of the Untied States. In a state where high moral standards once served as model for the...

During the opening session of the "New Baptist Covenant Celebration" in Atlanta Jan. 30, former President Jimmy Carter called for Baptists of all races, political leanings and theological stances to unite around a common belief in the Gospel of...

Certainly readers of the Baptist Messenger have come to expect and rely on us for accurate and dependable information regarding critical issues that impact Christian life.

Having made their mark on the population charts years ago, Baby Boomers are once again gaining the attention of economists, healthcare providers, politicians and insurance companies. Thanks to Baby Boomers, the senior adult population in America...

A round of applause for the Supreme Court please! Earlier this month the Supreme Court declined to review a 2004 case filed in Tulsa Federal Court which challenged Oklahoma's "Choose Life" license plate program. The Supreme Court let stand the...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--"Just keep them. They're not worth much anyway."

As journalists, we are often reminded of the power of our pen. Perhaps that phrase should be updated to include the power of the keyboard. No doubt, the right words at the right time have a way of motivating us.

The Baptist Messenger has been informing and inspiring Oklahoma Baptists since 1912. In our 97th year, the Baptist Messenger continues to serve as a reliable Christian news and information resource for Oklahoma Baptists.

On Dec. 11, 2007, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a resolution acknowledging the significance of Christmas and Christianity. The resolution passed by just over 97 percent. That is right, 327 representatives approved of the resolution,...

When you step into the voting booth, what issues matter most? What do you look for in a political candidate?

If you believe HIV/AIDS is spread across America primarily by homosexuals, you are correct. If you believe homosexuality is a sin, you are correct. If you are a homophobic Baptist and have therefore turned your back on the homosexual community and...

According to a national study, nearly 80 percent of Americans call themselves Christian. More than 1,000 "self-identified" U.S. Christians 18 years of age and older participated in the study commissioned by Christianity Today International and...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, caused quite a stir with the release of the latest figures describing the extent of the global AIDS epidemic. The report indicated UN scientists long have overestimated...

If you haven't heard, Albus Dumbledore is gay. Who is Albus Dumbledore? According to a U.S. Consumer Research survey, more than half of American children between the ages of 6 and 17 could tell you who he is because they have read at least one of...

If there was ever any question as to why marriage must be defined as holy matrimony between one man and one woman, then a recent wedding in India should remove all doubt.

New research from the Barna Group suggests that being labeled as a Christian might mean you are perceived as being judgmental and hypocritical. According to a survey of 867 young people between the ages of 16 and 29, at least 85 percent of...

Oklahoma Baptists have played a major role in Oklahoma's heritage for more than a century. The privilege to openly share the Gospel with our neighbors, families and friends is just one of the many reasons why our nation is one of the greatest in...

Given the high cost of gasoline and the time it takes away from busy schedules, is attending the annual meeting really worth the effort? There are at least five good reasons NOT to attend and five good reasons to attend.

An investigation into many Southern Baptist churches soon reveals that a good portion of the payload is being carried by Baptist women. It has been said that if you want something done, you better ask a woman to do it.

Hungry? Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary defines hunger as "a craving or urgent need for food or a specific nutrient; b: an uneasy sensation occasioned by the lack of food; c: a weakened condition brought about by prolonged lack of food."